Synthesis Characterization and Studies of Photodegradation of PVC Films of(4-amino-5-(2-(2,3- dimethylphenyl)aminophnyl)- 1,2,4-triazole-3-thion)with Co(II),Ni(II),Cu(II),Zn(II) and Cd(II) Matel ions

A complexes of Co(II) , Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)  with 4-amino-5-(2-(2,3- dimethylphenyl) aminophnyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-thion)(L)was prepared and evaluated as a photodegradation for rigid Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC).  Polyvinyl chloride dissolved with metal complexes in THF solvent to form PVC films of 5% (40μm) thickness containing concentrations of the complexes by weight.  These different samples were produced by the casting method from the solvent. The photodegradation of films was investigated using UV-visible spectra. The photostabilization activity of these compounds was determined by calculating the photodecomposition rate constant (Kd) for modified PVC films against a blank. Keywords: photodegradation, 1,2,4-triazole, matel complexes

Effects of Gasoline and Smoking on Lipid Profile and Liver Functions among Gasoline Exposure Workers in Iraq

Introduction: The rapid and recent rise in the pandemic of cardiovascular disease implies that the environment plays a significant role. Numerous biological systems, such as the cardiovascular, blood-forming organs, liver, and kidneys, can be affected by gasoline and smoking. Because filling station employees, repair service workers, gasoline truck drivers, and refinery workers are all at a greater risk of being exposed to gasoline fumes. Even though gasoline and smoking have been investigated for so many years, few studies have looked into the effects of gasoline exposure combined with smoking on a variety of physiological mechanisms. As a result, we propose that combining gasoline exposure with smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and impaired hepatic function. Methods: The study included 95 male adult volunteers who worked with gasoline and were exposed to different fuel derivatives as study group and age and sex-matched seemingly healthy non-exposed people as the controls. Questionnaire interviews were used to collect socio-demographic data and a standard technique was used to collect the blood samples. The levels of cholesterol, HDL4, LDL-C, triglyceride, and VLDL were measured, as well as for liver enzymes ALP, AST, ALT, indirect bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total bilirubin were measured. Results: Our data suggest that smoking with gasoline exposure causes an increase in total and bad cholesterol levels, as well as a significant shift concerning the control group in lipid profile and liver enzymes. the exposed group had higher levels of ALP, and AST and significantly increased. In the nonsmoker exposed group D-bilirubin decreased in comparison to the control and exposed smoker group. Conclusion: This research concluded that the liver enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT) were higher among workers who smoke and are exposed to gasoline than in control subjects, similarly, the bad cholesterol also increase. Therefore, people who smoke and are handled with gasoline are at a higher risk of having heart and hepatic diseases

Cation Distribution in Natural Chromites from Oman

Two specimens or natural chromite from the Oman ophiolite were studied using Mossbauer Spectroscopy (MS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD). and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The diffraction patterns obtained at room temperature showed that the two specimens have a face-centered cubic spinal structure. Their Mossbauer spectra at 295 K. 160 K and 78 K have been fitted to three doublets. assigned to two Fe 2+ at the tetrahedral (A1+,A2) sites and one Fe1+ at the octahedral (B) site. The ferrous-ferric ratio obtained from the Mossbauer analysis together with the atomic concentration derived from the microprobe data are used to derive the chemical formulae for the two specimens. The data also supports also supports  a model of ordered caution distribution in the specimens examined

The Potential of Medicinal Plants with Bioactive Compounds as Antioxidants, Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulators: Review

Immunity is the body\u27s defense mechanism against infectious diseases. The immune response can be triggered by many natural factors as well as artificial factors such as infections, immunization, and external stimuli. One of the most important functions of the immune system in a healthy body is to maintain homeostasis. Immune stimulation and immune suppression are contradicted effects of the immune functions, they can be obtained and influenced by an external and/or external factor, thus the efficiency and the function of the immune system can be affected by those factors. Immunomodulators are agents that modulate or normalize the normal function of the immune system. Recently, many types of drugs that are used as chemotherapeutic drugs to treat serious diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases showed high risks of adverse side effects. The successful treatment strategy of those diseases is to obtain the best results with minimum side effects; immunomodulators derived from natural sources are the best and potential agents to replace, prevent or even reduce the expected side effects. Bioactive compounds extracted from natural sources were found to treat and prevent inflammatory diseases and modulate the immune function. Recently, immunomodulatory characteristics of natural bioactive compounds have attracted the attention of researchers. Using different plants, fungi or algae, promising research on the immunomodulatory effects of the bioactive compounds have come to the light. Thus, in the current review, the immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of some common plants have been shown

LVEF by Multigated Acquisition Scan Compared to Other Imaging Modalities in Cardio-Oncology: a Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The prevalence of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is increasing due to improved cancer survival. Serial monitoring of cardiac function is essential to detect CTRCD, guiding timely intervention strategies. Multigated radionuclide angiography (MUGA) has been the main screening tool using left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to monitor cardiac dysfunction. However, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) may be more suitable for serial assessment. We aimed to assess the concordance between different non-radiating imaging modalities with MUGA to determine whether they can be used interchangeably. RECENT FINDINGS: In order to identify relevant studies, a PubMed search was performed. We included cross-sectional studies comparing MUGA LVEF to that of 2D TTE, 3D TTE, and CMR. From 470 articles, 22 were selected, comprising 1017 patients in total. Among others, this included three 3D TTE, seven 2D harmonic TTE + contrast (2DHC), and seven CMR comparisons. The correlations and Bland-Altman limits of agreement varied for CMR but were stronger for 3D TTE and 2DHC. Our findings suggest that MUGA and CMR should not be used interchangeably whereas 3D TTE and 2DHC are appropriate alternatives following an initial MUGA scan. We propose a multimodality diagnostic imaging strategy for LVEF monitoring in patients undergoing cancer treatment

Quality of beans stored under hermetic conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) stored with different moisture contents under hermetic conditions. Beans with 12.3%, 15.7%, and 17.8% moisture content were used in the experiment. They were packed in bag type silos (3 kg), PET bottles (1.5 L), and glass containers (3 L), covered with organza fabric (control), and stored at 25 ºC and 70±5% relative humidity, for 120 days. The evaluated characteristics included moisture content, apparent density, electrical conductivity, germination percentage, cooking time, and bean classification, every 30 days. Except for the electrical conductivity and cooking time, the other characteristics were kept for 120 days in the stored product with moisture contents of 12.3% and 15.7% in hermetic conditions. Beans with 17.8% of the moisture content, electrical conductivity and cooking time increased, and apparent density and germination were reduced. Beans stored in the control, with any of the moisture contents, showed high quality loss during the long storage. It was concluded that it is possible to storage beans with moisture contents of 12.3% and 15.7%, with quality, for until 120 days, in hermetic conditions.Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a qualidade de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), armazenado com diferentes teores de água, sob condições herméticas. Feijão com teores de água de 12,3%, 15,7% e 17,8% foram acondicionados em silos tipo bolsa (3 kg), garrafas pet (1,5 L) e recipientes de vidro (3 L), cobertos com organza (controle) e armazenados à temperatura de 25 ºC e umidade relativa de 70±5%, por 120 dias. Avaliaram-se o teor de água, a massa específica aparente, a condutividade elétrica, a porcentagem de germinação, o tempo de cocção e a classificação do feijão, a cada 30 dias. À exceção da condutividade elétrica e do tempo de cocção, as demais características foram mantidas por 120 dias no material armazenado com teores de água de 12,3% e 15,7%, em condições herméticas. No produto armazenado com 17,8%, ocorreu aumento no teor de água, condutividade elétrica e tempo de cocção, e redução na massa específica aparente e na germinação. No controle, independentemente do teor de água, o material apresentou acentuada perda de qualidade ao longo do armazenamento. Concluiu-se que é possível armazenar feijão com teores de água de 12,3% e 15,7%, com qualidade, por até 120 dias, em condições herméticas

Left Main Coronary Artery Revascularization in Patients with Impaired Renal Function: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Introduction: The evidence about the optimal revascularization strategy in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease and impaired renal function is limited. Thus, we aimed to compare the outcomes of LMCA disease revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] vs. coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]) in patients with and without impaired renal function. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 2,138 patients recruited from 14 centers between 2015 and 2,019. We compared patients with impaired renal function who had PCI (n= 316) to those who had CABG (n = 121) and compared patients with normal renal function who had PCI (n = 906) to those who had CABG (n = 795). The study outcomes were in-hospital and follow-up major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Results: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of in-hospital MACCE was significantly higher in CABG compared to PCI in patients with impaired renal function (odds ratio [OR]: 8.13 [95% CI: 4.19–15.76], p < 0.001) and normal renal function (OR: 2.59 [95% CI: 1.79–3.73]; p < 0.001). There were no differences in follow-up MACCE between CABG and PCI in patients with impaired renal function (HR: 1.14 [95% CI: 0.71–1.81], p = 0.585) and normal renal function (HR: 1.12 [0.90–1.39], p = 0.312). Conclusions: PCI could have an advantage over CABG in revascularization of LMCA disease in patients with impaired renal function regarding in-hospital MACCE. The follow-up MACCE was comparable between PCI and CABG in patients with impaired and normal renal function

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century